Ford Model A
December 2, 1927
Henry Ford introduces the Model A. It had a 200.5 cubic inch motor that delivered 40 hp and came in nine body styles, with a starting price of about $400.
The introduction had been hyped the previous weeks with over $2,000,000 in advertising in newspapers across the country. The promotion was effective, as Ford News claimed that over 10 million people visited Ford dealerships to see the new model.
Bhopal Gas Leak
December 3, 1984
A gas leak at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India kills 3,787 people, with 558,125 injuries. In 1989, Union Carbide is ordered, by the Indian Supreme Court, to pay $470,000,000 in restitution.
Smoke On The Water
December 4, 1971
The Montreux Casino, Switzerland, burns to the ground during a set by Frank Zappa. The group Deep Purple, who were recording there at the time, immortalized the event on their next album. “Some stupid with a flare gun burned the place to the ground…”